The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) today announced the recipients of a scholarship program designed to enhance aviation safety in Australia.
The 4 recipients of the aviation safety manager scholarships, each valued at up to $5,000 are Adela Benhammouche, Nicholas Johnson, Hugh McBain and Daniel Barresi.
CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence, highlighted the importance of fostering a strong safety culture in Australian aviation.
‘Aviation safety is a shared responsibility across our industry and the role of safety managers is absolutely crucial to ensuring we maintain and improve our safety record,’ Ms Spence says.
‘The role safety managers is critical - they oversee all things related to safety in their organisation – whether that’s part of a team in a large business, or on their own in a small organisation.
‘These scholarships not only recognise the dedication of these professionals but also provides them with resources to further develop their expertise.’
Ms Spence expressed her appreciation for the recipients’ contributions to aviation safety in Australia.
‘Adela, Nicholas, Hugh and Daniel have demonstrated exceptional commitment to safety, and I look forward to seeing the impact this scholarship will have on their ongoing development,’ she says.
Hugh McBain, from the Royal Victorian Aero Club, was selected for his continual involvement in conducting safety-related lectures and seminars to educate pilots.
Adela Benhammouche was recognised for her work at Microflite Aviation as quality and safety manager since 2023, implementing hazard identification sessions and modernising safety reviews from static reports to a data-visual approach.
Nautilus Aviation’s Daniel Barresi was acknowledged for his work in risk mitigation and Nicholas Johnson from Corsaire Aviation was recognised for using his rotary pilot experience to improve procedures and strategies.
The scholarships were first awarded in 2023 as part of CASA’s broader effort to ensure aviation safety managers are well-equipped to handle the complexities of their roles. With almost 60 applications for this round, the selection process was highly competitive.
‘Yet again, we were impressed with the calibre of applicants and selecting 4 was a difficult decision. This scholarship program is designed to ensure they have access to the tools and support necessary to further their careers and elevate the safety standards within their companies,’ says Ms Spence.
Date: 6 March 2025
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